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Traveling with Pets

Effective December 4, 2014: All pets traveling in the cargo compartment on Alaska Airlines are required to have a health certificate dated within 10 days of outbound travel. Learn More about Health Requirements

Booking Pet Travel

Space for pets traveling in the cabin or in the cargo compartment is limited and subject to availability. For air travel on Alaska Airlines, PenAir and Era Aviation, please contact Alaska Airlines Reservations at 1-800-252-7522 .

If your travel plans include travel on another airline, please contact the airline directly to reserve space, determine fees and obtain additional information about traveling with your pet on the other airline. Please note that Alaska Airlines does not transfer pets traveling in the baggage compartment to other carriers. Pets must be claimed and rechecked to the connecting carrier.

Breed Restrictions - Effective October 30, 2014*

Brachycephalic or "short-nosed" dogs and cats are not accepted for travel in the cargo compartment on Alaska Airlines flights (including flights operated by Horizon, SkyWest, or PenAir). Veterinary experts say that short-nosed animals commonly have abnormalities that can compromise their breathing. Stress associated with flight can make those conditions worse.

Brachycephalic or "short-nosed" dogs and cats may still travel in the cabin with their passenger provided their pet carrier fits under the seat.

*Customers whose outbound travel began before October 30, 2014, will be allowed to return with their short-nosed animal in the cargo hold through November 23, 2014. Customers traveling with a short-nosed animal who have tickets for travel at a later date may request a full refund and/or change their itineraries to return prior to November 23, 2014, without incurring any change fees or any fare increase.

Pet Embargoes

Holiday Travel:
Customers traveling on Alaska Airlines flights 2000-2999 or flights 3440-3499 may not check pets in the baggage or cargo compartments during the following dates:

November 23, 2015 through December 1, 2015

December 11, 2015 through January 1, 2016

Pets in Cabin will still be accepted during these time periods.

Hawaii:
Alaska Airlines accepts only cats or dogs for travel to Hawaii. Because of Hawaii's unique status as the only rabies-free state, and because of strong headwinds at certain times of year, there are additional requirements for travel. Please visit our Pets Traveling to Hawaii page for further details.

Health and Vaccination Requirements

Only pets in good health are permitted. Any pet in a kennel too small or in obvious distress due to illness or injury will be refused travel.

Effective December 4, 2014: All pets traveling in the cargo compartment on Alaska Airlines, (including flights operated by Horizon, SkyWest and PenAir) will be required to have a health certificate dated within 10 days of outbound travel and 30 days of return travel. A health certificate will not be required for pets traveling in the cabin with their passenger, however, many states have specific importation health and vaccination requirements. It is recommended to contact the State Veterinarian at your destination prior to travel to determine necessary documentation (such as health and cold weather acclimation certificates) and vaccination requirements.

Alaska Airlines is proud to partner with Banfield® Pet Hospital to provide pets and their owners with a special discount offer to prepare pets for take-off.

Alaska Airlines is not responsible for any costs incurred should customers not have the required health documentation to enter the state or country.

Customers traveling to Kotzebue with a dog must have proof of their pet's Parvovirus and rabies vaccination. Customers checking in without required documentation will be denied boarding. Contact the Kotzebue City Clerk (907-442-3401) for assistance or questions.

Customers traveling to Nome with a dog must have proof of their pet's Parvovirus vaccination. Customers checking in without required documentation will be denied boarding. Contact the Nome City Clerk (907-443-6663) for assistance or questions.

Customers traveling to Hawaii are subject to strict guidelines and specific programs that must be completed before your cat or dog will be accepted into the State of Hawaii. Learn more about Traveling with Pets to Hawaii.

Note: For travel to Canada or Mexico, refer to the International Travel section below for additional health and vaccination requirement information.

Fee Summary

Pet in Cabin

Pet in Baggage

$100.00 (USD) each way

$100.00 (USD) each way

Note: Fees indicated are per kennel/carrier and for travel on Alaska Airlines, PenAir and Era Aviation only. If your itinerary includes travel on another airline, the other airline fee may be assessed. Please check with the other airline for more information.

Pets in the Cabin

Customers must be 18 years or older to travel with pet in the cabin. A customer traveling with a pet may not occupy an emergency exit row seat. The First Class cabin can accommodate a total of one pet carrier per flight, and the main cabin can accommodate a total of up to five pet carriers per flight.

When traveling with your pet in the cabin, the pet carrier counts toward your carry-on bag allotment. You may bring either a pet carrier and a personal item, or a pet carrier and a standard size carry-on bag. You may not board the aircraft with a pet carrier, a standard size carry-on, and a personal item.

A customer may travel with a maximum of two (2) pet carriers in the main cabin, only when the adjacent seat is purchased by the same customer.

Pets allowed in the passenger cabin are dogs, cats, rabbits, and household birds. Dogs and cats must be at least eight (8) weeks old and must have been fully weaned. Up to two (2) pets of the same species and similar size may travel in the same carrier, provided no body parts protrude from the carrier and the animals are not in distress. The pet must stay in its container (including head and tail) at all times while onboard, and be stowed under the seat during taxi, takeoff, and landing. Animals with offensive odors or those that create a noise disturbance must travel in the climate-controlled baggage compartment.

No more than one (1) live dog or cat, 6 months of age or older, may be transported in the same kennel.

No more than one (1) live puppy, 8 weeks to 6 months of age, and weighing over 20 lbs, may be transported in the same kennel.

No more than two (2) live puppies or kittens, 8 weeks to 6 months of age, that are of comparable size, and weighing 20 lbs or less each, may be transported in the same kennel.

Animals must be harmless, inoffensive (not destructive to itself or the kennel), and require no attention during transit.

The health of your pet is important. Due to health risks that could potentially result in the death of the animal, brachycephalic (shortnose) dogs/cats are not accepted for travel. This applies to the following breeds and mixed breeds thereof:

Climate-Controlled Baggage Compartment

When you check your pet using this transportation method, you must travel on the same flight(s) to your pet's destination. Check in at least one (1) hour, but no more than two (2) hours before departure. Please note there may be specific check-in requirements at your departure airport. Your pet will be available for pick-up in the baggage claim area approximately 30 minutes after the flight arrives.

If your trip includes a transfer to another flight operated by Alaska Airlines, Horizon Air, SkyWest Flight Series 3440-3499, PenAir, or Era Alaska, we will allow a maximum connection time of four hours for the animal at the connection city.

If your trip includes a transfer to any other airline, you must allow time to pick up your pet in the baggage claim area and re-check your pet with the connecting airline. Alaska Airlines does not transfer pets to other airlines.

If a delay prevents your pet's flight from departing, your pet may be placed in a kennel facility until it can be transported. Costs incurred due to weather-related delays are the responsibility of the pet owner.

Alaska Airlines will accept a pet and kennel combined weight of up to 150 lbs. Should the pet and kennel weigh 151 pounds or more, please contact Air Cargo for assistance and pricing.

Checked Kennel Requirements

Alaska Airlines is committed to the health and safety of your pet during travel. To ensure your pet travels safely, checked kennels must meet the following requirements, in addition to USDA/IATA requirements:

Kennel Must:

Kennel Must Not:

Be of solid construction and composed of plastic, wood, metal or material of comparable strength and able to withstand rigors of normal transportation.

Be collapsible, snap-top or soft-sided, or composed of wire, mesh, cardboard or wicker.

Be secured with nut and bolt type fasteners if the kennel is not constructed as one piece. View example

Food and Water for Checked Animals

Regulations require animals traveling as checked baggage to be offered food and water within four (4) hours of check-in. Animals must be offered sufficient food and water to last the entire journey. During check-in, you will be asked to complete a Pet Check Record to certify your pet has been offered food and water prior to acceptance.

Extreme Outdoor Temperatures

Extreme hot and cold temperatures can pose a health risk to pets. In summer, choose early morning or late evening flights. In winter, choose mid-day flights. Whenever possible, book nonstop or direct flights. If temperatures at the origin, destination, or connecting airports exceed certain limits, Alaska Airlines may decline acceptance for the animal's welfare.

International Travel

When traveling to any country, it is strongly advised to research what health and vaccination documentation is required for the country you are visiting.

Alaska Airlines is not responsible for costs incurred should customers not have the required health and vaccination documentation to enter a foreign country.

Travel to Canada

Only dogs and cats will be accepted for travel.

Travel to Mexico

Only dogs and cats will be accepted for travel.

No bedding or similar materials are allowed to enter when packed in the kennel with the pet. Shredded paper or absorbent pads are acceptable.

Only enough food for a day's travel is acceptable.

Travelers with three or more pets are subject to additional importation fees of approximately $1,600 pesos (approximately $150 USD) as mandated by the SAGARPA (Secretary of Agriculture, Livestock Production, Rural Development, Fishery and Food). Upon arrival with three or more pets, Customs will direct you to the cargo area where the required commercial importation process takes place. The clearance may require a customs broker.